How to tell if America is becoming a dictatorship

[kan...@aol.com]

https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2025/10/is-america-a-dictatorship-king-trump.html

This writer has first hand experience.

I'm inclined to listen to him more than to others whose posts we read. 

Again, he makes observations about the autocratic countries and compares them to what is happening here today. One can draw their own conclusions. 

I see plenty of parallels.

[Brian Kegerreis]

Uses the government and law to intimidate critics and silence opposition.... like the democrats have done. 

If we are slipping into a dictatorship its a dervish dance of democrats and republican that will take us there and its been moving in that direction long before Trump

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[kan...@aol.com]

Just present some examples Brian. We might consider what you have to say. 

It's the LEVEL of actions by Trump that are unique. Nothing comes close, ever. Even Nixon wasn't this autocratic. And he's clearly #2 here. But far, far away  from today. 

Neither Obama or Biden gave public and ongoing directions to his AG and FBI director. He has asked them to go after dozens of people that he deems to be his enemy. It includes lots of Dems and more than a few of his own appointees, who saw the evil from the inside and chose to speak out.

The other thing that sets Trump apart is that he clearly keeps lowering the bar as to who is an enemy.. This is what autocrats have to do. They need to keep upping the ante. Hence the appropriateness of the "When they came for...............I didn't act". They just keep coming. That's Trump. 

Just look. 

I just read an old article about the demise of the Tea Party. When they arose under Obama they wanted a "reasonable President" who didn't aspire to great power. They wanted less gov't of any form, including a one man wrecking crew. They kind of gave up when they realized that a functioning democracy works slowly. They wanted more action. So they caved to the MAGA crazies, who have become comfortable. with an autocratic aspirant. They have created a cult of worship for Trump. And it's nowhere near what our gov't (call it what you want) is supposed to function like. 

[Brian Kegerreis]

The level of actions? Like closing all the churches? 

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[kan...@aol.com]

Brian, my Google search shows that NO POTUS ever closed "all the churches". During covid, many STATES closed churches. Trump tried to force them to reopen; but he lacked that authority. At least he did back then. Who knows about today. 

The only president that I saw that close religious facilities was Paul Kagame of Rwanda. Guessing you meant someone more domestic. 

Please send us an article showing us what you ae referring to. 

In the meantime, there's this:

There is no evidence that President Joe Biden ordered churches to be closed during the COVID-19 pandemic. When the most widespread church closures took place in the United States, it was during the early months of the pandemic in 2020, while President Donald Trump was still in office. At that time, states and local governments—not the federal government or the president—issued various restrictions on in-person gatherings, including religious services, to help curb the spread of the virus.

By the time Joe Biden took office on January 20, 2021, many restrictions had already begun to ease, and his administration did not issue federal orders to close churches. Instead, public health guidelines were issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommending ways for faith communities and religious organizations to safely gather, such as wearing masks, maintaining physical distance, and limiting indoor capacities. Specific closure decisions continued to be made at the state or local level, often in coordination with federal safety recommendations.

The term here is "hoist on your own petard". 

[Brian Kegerreis]

Government closed churches but because governors did it, its ok?

No its just part of the once slow now rapidly increasing march towards despotism. 

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[kan...@aol.com]

So how do fifty states acting independently become an autocracy?

That'll need some 'splainin'. 

You know, the history of pandemics contains stupid assholes just like you. 

Back in the early 1800's smallpox vaccination was catching on here in the US. Back then the efforts weren't so much directed at vaccinating everyone; but instead when outbreaks were detected, the area was "surrounded" by vaccine efforts. 

And there were vaccine deniers back then too. 

And there were vaccine vigilantes, people that went around and forcibly vaccinated unwilling folk. 

Today we're a bit more sophisticated and civil. However the stupids are still among us. 

The Covid rate of illness/death was a lot higher than most of Europe. Caveat here; countries reported covid stats differently; so comparison is somewhat iffy. 

That said, we created the vaccine and had the most access to it. We just didn't emphasize its use. The vaccine got out of the lab and into use in record time; then Trump single-handedly worked to decrease its application. 

The stats tell the story. As for govt's role, well that can be debated ad infinitum. But it should be clarified, preferably before the NEXT mass event. And it WILL happen. When, who knows? Nice if we can be ready. With Trumps and JFK's at the helm, I have my concerns. Need better brains leading the parade.